MANILA, Philippines — The plan to air dubbed Chinese shows on government television is an indication that President Rodrigo Duterte's administration has surrendered to China's power, an opposition lawmaker said on Thursday.

China's 'debt trap'

The government is currently using Chinese loans to fund some of its projects under its ambitious infrastructure program.

Loans that China has been providing to countries are seen as part of Beijing's efforts to increase its influence.

Just recently, Australia stepped in to help build a key piece of infrastructure for the Solomon Islands after its intelligence and security chiefs warned against the deal originally bagged by Chinese firm Huawei.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon meanwhile said that the airing of Chinese shows on the government-run station is part of the Duterte government's policy of appeasement toward China.

The senator urged the government to reconsider this position as this had not resulted in economic and tourism benefits for the country.

President Duterte is seeking common ground with Beijing on the planned joint exploration in Philippine waters and has not abandoned the 2016 arbitral court ruling favoring the Philippine position on the South China Sea, Malacañang told Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday.

Malacañang on Saturday slammed Vice President Leni Robredo for criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte’s openness to ignore the Philippines’ legal victory in the South China Sea and seal an energy deal with Beijing, saying she needs new advisers who can comprehend the maritime row.

The US Navy said that one of its destroyers had sailed close to the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Friday, asserting international freedom of navigation rights in the contested waters.

Under Philippine law, President Rodrigo Duterte does not have the authority to "set aside" the July 2016 ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Supreme Court Senior Associate Antonio Carpio said.